Build-A-Bear

[George]

Another bereaved family invited us to Build-A-Bear with them. They wanted to place a heart shaped urn containing their daughter's ashes inside a bear. At their request, I took some photos for them and share some of them with you.

http://galdiano.zenfolio.com/p928494498/

The brown bear is their bear containing the urn. The dark headed girl with the heart print leapoard is my 5-year-old daughter. She named the lepoard after their other daughter (the 1-year-old blond girl in the photo.) The boy who looks like he's two is my 1-year-old son who is actually just a month or so apart in age from their 1-year-old daughter.

I hope my photography skills equal some of yours in the near future. I keep practicing and hopefully I'm getting better!

[kelly bennett]

amazing story and amazing photos to go with it....

[Tammy Councilman]

George,

You captured each image with the kind of gift no one can "teach" you and that's heart. You should be very proud.

God bless,

Tammy Councilman
Portrait Expressions
www.portraitexpressions.org (http://www.portraitexpressions.org)

[Tasha Nicholls]

What a wonderful gift to capture such a special event for this family! You have created such beautiful images for them.

You have a great talent for photography and a huge heart... I expect you'll be ready to join the NILMDTS photographers, soon, if you have the desire. :)

[Kerry]

I love the photos. The story I could easily follow the pictures. All the kids are beautiful!

Kerry
Mother of Olivia,Sarah,Lane and Heavenly Angel Mallory

[George]

You have a great talent for photography and a huge heart... I expect you'll be ready to join the NILMDTS photographers, soon, if you have the desire. :)

That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me or my photography.

I've thought about applying to be a NILMDTS photographer, but
1). I'm not a professional photographer and I seem to recall reading somewhere that was a requirement.
2). I'm not sure I could hold myself together while taking photos of a deceased child. I imagine myself completely falling apart and making things worse for the family.

Maybe if there was a photographer in the Far North Dallas area, I could shadow them for a few times to see if I thought I could handle it.

[Kirk Kief]

George,
You are right in that we prefer to utilize professional photographers. Reason being is a true professional knows how to handle the myriad of problems that can be confronted on these sessions. Lighting problems, equipment problems, and even emotional problems. However, I'm not saying that there are not any 'amateur' photographers in our ranks. There are some that are excellent photographers, but they just happen to have careers in other fields.

[MeganN]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!! Both the story and the pictures.
I'm going to pass along this idea to a dear friend. Thank you.

[George]

Kirk,

I'm just asking out of curiosity, but how do you know when someone is an excellent photographer, but just doesn't do it for a living?

My photography equipment is just as good as many professionals I know, but of course, a professional set of pans doesn't mean you are a chef.

I shoot exclusively in RAW using manual, AV, or TV mode, and do post processing with Adobe Photoshop. I can shoot with and without a flash. My preference is using available light. I understand shutter speeds, apertures, and ISO. Understanding Exposure by Peterson is my photography bible and it did more for me than the 4 courses I have taken. I frequent photography forums for ideas and tips. Most of the people I know ask that I take photos for them. I've created many photo montages set to music for my family and church for the past 5 years.

I'm not lobbying to become a NILMDTS photographer for reasons already mentioned, I'm just curious about how I can gauge my skill in comparison to a professional?

Feel free to send me a private message if you think that is more appropriate.

[Stacy909]

Where did you have the bear made? I am looking for one to put my son's urn inside but haven't found anything that is just right.

[George]

At a build a bear store. You can check buildabear.com for locations or order one online. I don't know what you are looking for, but they have a limited edition groundhog for sale right now. Of course, they also have many other choices, and not just bears.

[Estrella]

Where did you have the bear made? I am looking for one to put my son's urn inside but haven't found anything that is just right.

Tammy at tammybears.com makes custom made bears, you could use clothes, or a special blankie! I haven't ordered mine yet, but plan to when I can afford it! I have spoke to her and she can make a special opening for an urn....Check em out!

[Cheryl Haggard]

Stacy,
Here is the thread for Tammy Bears, and an image of a bear she made from Maddux's blanket...

Deb Stoner, Do you have the image of Marah's bear???

http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=879&highlight=Tammy+Bears